Australian, European carriers irked over iPad 4G badging

updated 02:05 pm EDT, Sat March 17, 2012

by MacNN Staff

iPad may have 4G downplayed in other countries

Apple's emphasis on LTE support for the new iPad is sparking a conflict with carriers outside of North America, according to statements given out later on Friday. In the wake of a "backlash" from European carriers, The Australian understood that local carriers Telstra and Optus would both avoid making any mention of 4G. European providers had been calling on Apple to stop marketing 4G that their networks can't use.

The company's marketing in the UK and mainland Europe is more conservative when it comes to cellular access. Apple mentions having up to LTE support, but unlike in the US or Canada, doesn't make it a centerpiece. European access can still get 21Mbps or occasionally 42Mbps HSPA+ 3G instead.

Cellular-aware iPads in at least Australia and elsewhere have stickers on their backs that explicitly warn the tablet's LTE won't work in the area.

Apple is including LTE on new iPads sold outside of North America primarily to consolidate its lineup and avoid having to ship a third 4G version. The initiative is nonetheless frustrating both for carriers and users alike, since Qualcomm's chipset by necessity can't really use LTE in other areas. Most networks also haven't deployed LTE and often aren't using the 700MHz or 2,100MHz bands the iPad currently needs. True world support will have to wait until 2013 and truly multi-band LTE. [viaSlashGear]

TAGS

TOTAL_COMMENTS Comments

Marketing types are hoping that ignorant consumers will fall for that "4G" hype. The full name for LTE is "3GPP Long Term Evolution," where 3GPP means "3rd Generation Partnership Project." It's still 3G, just faster. LTE still require separate connections for voice and data. It doesn't satisfy the 4G requirements published by the ITU-R, the standards body.

The "real 4G" spec hasn't even been finalized yet. Only the requirements have been finalized. But the way things are going, the next-gen LTE, "LTE Advanced" looks like it will be chosen as the 4G specification. It will combine voice and data into a single IP (internet packet) stream, for true wireless VoIP.

But, of course, the cell carriers don't want you to know that. They want to keep charging you separately for big-minute voice plans and capped data plans. Even after voice and data are mixed intro a single data packet stream. Because they've all run spreadsheets and they've calculated that they can get more money out of ignorant consumers by charging separately. Or so it seems.

Who Cares what the name is?!!! Whether its 4g LTE or HSPA+ 21MB and 42MB are fast.. Most of the 4G networks here are not anywhere close to that speed. Does it really matter what it is called if the speed is there? I would not care even if it was called 1G. Its about the speed. if it is there then no problems are there in my book.

Because the larger world telecoms make up a good chunk of the Standards Body, they gave permission to use 4G for anything that was a viable option so they could make more money marketing. Now of course this made the average consumer not only left wondering what the heck is 4G but probably a little angry at the false advertising.

What nonsense - it is the carriers themselves that have caused so much confusion. There is no true LTE or 4G anywhere yet. The truth is that the carriers have brought this upon themselves by misleading consumers and need to get their heads out of their asses and build compatible high speed networks. Further, based on the statement that "European access can still get 21Mbps or occasionally 42Mbps HSPA+ 3G instead", consumers are being idiots if they complain as these are really 4G comparable speeds and are super fast!

Login Here

Now AAPL Stock: The symbol you provided ("AAPL") doesn't appear to be registered

Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit

Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj

Share

Developer598d

Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket

The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]

Share

598d

Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera

Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94

Share

Industry598d

Apple employees testing wheelchair features

New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa

Share

Troubleshooting598d

SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards

SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If

Share

Upgrades/storage598d

Apple's third-quarter results due July 26

Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm

Share

Investor599d

Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users

Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE